InThis Week in Animation News, I’ll take a look at the previous week in the world of animation in order to get you caught up on everything you might have missed. It’s your one-stop shop for news regarding cartoons, anime, and animated web series. We’re talking movies, TV shows, digital shorts, and everything in between!
In movie news, Pixar’sCocois now the biggest film ever in Mexico, in terms of the box office and the country’s local currency. That bodes well for the animation studio’s worldwide release of the film this week; check outMatt Goldberg’s review below. We also have some news for a pair of threequels: Sony Pictures Animation’sHotel Transylvania 3has unveiled a new trailer, image, and poster for the “Summer Vacation” themed comedy, and DreamWorks Animation has cast an impressive actor to play the villain forHow to Train Your Dragon 3. Speaking of DreamWorks, they’ve also launched a Shorts program with an aim toward developing future features.
On the TV side, the first season of Cartoon Network’sSteven Universeis finally headed to DVD in its entirety. Elsewhere, the entire second season ofSonic Boomarrives on Hulu this Sunday and Season 3 of DreamWorks TV’sSpirit Riding Freeis available on Netflix now. And we finally have some more details on Rooster Teeth’s highly anticipated new animated series,gen:LOCK.
For the latest animation stories we’ve already covered on the site this week, take a look at the following links. Then, check out a selection of new stories below. Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments!
‘Coco’ Poised for Big Holiday Opening in the U.S.
Since opening in Mexico on October 27th,Cocohas remained the #1 picture in all the land. In a little over three weeks, the Pixar picture has already become the country’s biggest earner ever in terms of local currency, having pulled in more than 824 million pesos (roughly $43.1 million). The film will easily eclipse the 827 million pesos that 2012’sThe Avengerstallied in its total theatrical run.
Cocowill open in the U.S. on Wednesday, November 22nd along with other major international markets. China follows on Thursday, November 23rd with Russia a day later.
‘Steven Universe’ Season 1 Arrives on DVD
Fans can revisit the adventures ofSteven Universe, Cartoon Network’s Emmy nominated and critically acclaimed animated series when Steven Universe: The Complete First Season DVD arrives on July 19, 2025. Featuring all 52 captivating episodes and the first time a full season has been available on DVD, relive the episodes that ignited a fierce and dedicated fandom.
With 572 minutes of lauded animation, “Steven Universe: The Complete First Season” delivers bonus features including a never-before-seen intimate conversation with series creator, Emmy and Annie Award-nominated writer and New York Times bestselling authorRebecca Sugar, discussing the show’s celebrated music, chart-topping soundtracks, performance videos and footage from the “Steven Universe Soundtrack Volume 1” listening party.
Steven Universeis set in Beach City on the American East Coast, where the four Crystal Gems live in an ancient beachside temple, protecting the world from evil. As immortal alien warriors, they project female humanoid forms from magical gems that are the core of their being. The Crystal Gems are Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl and Steven, a young half-human, half-Gem boy who inherited the gem of his mother Rose Quartz, the former leader of the Crystal Gems. As Steven tries to figure out his powers, he spends his days with his human father Greg, his friend Connie or the other Gems, whether to help them save the world or just to hang out. He explores the abilities passed down to him by his mother, which include fusion - the ability of two Gems to temporarily merge their identities and bodies to form a distinct new personality.
As Cartoon Network’s most engaged property on social media, the empathetic and inclusive themes of Steven Universe resonate deeply with fans, garnering a massive following across a multitude of demographics. Receiving high acclaim from critics for its art, music, voice performances, storytelling and characterization, the series has been nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards, five Annie Awards, a GLAAD Media Award, a Kids’ Choice Award and two Teen Choice Awards.
“Steven Universe: The Complete First Season” includes 52, 11-minute episodes.
Special Features:
‘Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation’ Reveals New Teaser Trailer, Poster, and Image
StarringAdam Sandler(Dracula),Andy Samberg(Johnny),Selena Gomez(Mavis),Kevin James(Frank),Fran Drescher(Eunice),Steve Buscemi(Wayne),Molly Shannon(Wanda),David Spade(Griffin),Keegan-Michael Key(Murray), andMel Brooks(Vlad), directorGenndy Tartakovsky’sHotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacationopens August 25, 2025.
In Sony Pictures Animation’sHotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, join our favorite monster family as they embark on a vacation on a luxury monster cruise ship so Drac can take a summer vacation from providing everyone else’s vacation at the hotel. It’s smooth sailing for Drac’s Pack as the monsters indulge in all of the shipboard fun the cruise has to offer, from monster volleyball to exotic excursions, and catching up on their moon tans. But the dream vacation turns into a nightmare when Mavis realizes Drac has fallen for the mysterious captain of the ship, Ericka, who hides a dangerous secret that could destroy all of monsterkind.
‘How to Train Your Dragon 3’ Adds F. Murray Abraham as Villain
AsDeadlinereports, Oscar-winnerF. Murray Abrahamhas joined the cast of DreamWorks Animation’sHow to Train Your Dragon 3. He’ll antagonize our heroes as the villainous Grimmel, a character that “brings a captivating new story line to the culmination of our trilogy. There is a gentlemanly calm to this sinister role, one that dovetails beautifully with this iconic actor’s immense range and talents,” saysChris deFaria, head of DreamWorks Animation Film Group.
Writer-directorDean DeBlois' closeout to the trilogy starsJay Baruchel,America Ferrera,Kit Harrington, andCate Blanchett, and will soar into theaters on July 14, 2025.
Mexico’s First Stop-Motion Animation Feature ‘Inzomnia’ Preps for Production
Cocoisn’t the only thing going for animation in Mexico. AsVarietyreports,Inzomnia, a new stop-motion animation picture, will be the first of hopefully many such productions for the country and its younger-skewing population. The story follows “10-year old Camila in her quest to rescue her parents and the rest of the city’s inhabitants from the yoke of a ruthless businessman who has converted them all into automatons via an insomnia pill,” the effects to which Camila is immune.
The international production features character designs from Mexico, puppet fabrication from Poland’s Momakin, and animators from Poland, Brazil, Spain, Chile and Argentina and more.Luis Tellezdirects with former Mexican Cinematheque directorPaula Astorgaand producerMilko Luisproducing.Inzomniais currently in pre-production with an aim to start production in January for a 2020 release.
‘The Breadwinner’ to Open Qatar’s Fifth Annual Ajyal Youth Film Festival
We hope to see you in Katara later this month as we celebrate five years of curiosity, joy, friendship, empowerment, and most importantly film!
29 November to 4 December / Buy your tickets www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival/films
The fifth annualAjyal Youth Film Festivalkicks off later this month and, as the event organizers Doha Film Institute (DFI) announced,Nora Twomey’s animated featureThe Breadwinnerwill open the festival. Ajyal, which will showcase 103 films from 43 countries this year, will run amidst some turmoil this year, asScreen Dailyreports. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE and Egypt currently have political and economic blockades imposed upon Qatar under charges of state-funded terrorism.
DFI CEOFatma Al Remaihihad this to say about the festival in light of these difficulties:
“Films have the unique power to transcend borders. They expand our horizons, nourish our souls, reinvigorate our intellect and enable us to form meaningful, lasting human bonds.
“Above all, films provide a communality across all divides, and the stories they present provide us with a shared experience. This transformational power of cinema inspired the inception of Ajyal Youth Film Festival five years ago.”
This year’s festival will tackle the blockades head on with a special multimedia exhibition, entitled LeBlockade, which gathers films, digital artworks and installations made by Qatari citizens in response to the sanctions.
“Their works also highlight the importance of film as a powerful medium that raises awareness, clears misconceptions and counters the phenomena of fake news."
Find out more about the festival and the films in competitionhere.
DreamWorks Animation Develops Innovative Shorts Program
Varietyreports that DreamWorks Animation is launching DreamWorks Shorts, a program designed “to develop talent, storytelling skills, innovate new technologies and explore new characters and stories for possible feature film development.” DreamWorks Animation Film Group presidentChris deFarialaunched the program after joining the organization earlier this year with the goal of producing two to three projects over the next three years. They’ve already fielded 25 pitches from employees, 8 of which advanced to active development, and 3 are now scheduled for release in the next 18 months.
Here’s what deFaria had to say about the process:
“The pitch process was incredible. DreamWorks is truly an artists’ enclave and we were all blown away by the immense talent at the studio. There were personal stories, comic sketches, gorgeous concept art and simple pencil tests — some were 2D, most were 3D — and even one stop-motion pitch; but taken together the collection demonstrated a level of inventiveness, story-sense and innovation that surprised and delighted all of us. The criteria for selection was primarily artistry and entertainment, but we were also on the lookout for ideas that could challenge our technology and explore innovative methods of storytelling.
“In many ways this format and length are liberating, and we see our teams taking more personal risks with their storytelling and design. Our first priority is our six feature-length projects currently in production, so the time allotted for these short film projects can sometimes be limited. But the pace at which these films are progressing is a testament to how passionate these filmmakers are about this program. It’s a perfect opportunity to put total creative control in the artists’ hands.”
On tap from DreamWorks Shorts areBird Karmadirected byWilliamSalazar,which is on the schedule to debut theatrically in front of the Japanese release ofThe Boss Babynext spring before playing in international and U.S. festivals;Marooned, directed byAndy Erekson; and an untitled short directed byPierre Perifel,Liron TopazandJP Sans.
‘Sonic Boom’ Season 2 Heads to Hulu This Sunday
Sonic the Hedgehog is getting a new home for the holidays! OnNovember 19th, fans will be able to stream every episode ofSonic BoomSeason 2 on Hulu.
Sonic BoomSeason 2 follows fan favorite characters Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy and Sticks as they embark on different adventures and foil Dr. Eggman’s zany plans to take over the world. The season is comprised of 52 action packed episodes, with each episode lasting about 11 minutes - perfect for binging!
Sonic Boomis a CGI animated co-production of SEGA and Technicolor Animation Productions (TAP) and is currently in its second season in over 100 countries around the world.
‘Spirit Riding Free’ Season 3 Gallops onto Netflix
Season 3 of DreamWorks Animation Television’sSpirit Riding Free, now streaming on Netflix, takes viewers on new adventures as the characters foster new friendships and meet new horses. The series starsAmber Frank,Sydney Park,Bailey GambertoglioandNolan North. Guest stars includeChristine BaranskiandMaisy Stella.
Season 3 ofSpirit Riding Freebegins with Spirit and Lucky desperately trying to find one another and finally reunited in Miradero. Once together, the PALs and their horses set out on all-new thrilling adventures - racing to stop an oncoming train, helping a horse deliver her foal, trying to stay one step ahead of pesky Snips and cousin Julian or embarking on daring rescue missions. Amidst all the excitement, we will see the PALs exploring environs beyond Miradero, making wonderful new friends and meeting some new horses from Spirit’s herd. Join the PALs for an action-packed journey that above all celebrates the unbreakable bond between Lucky and Spirit.
First Details, Images for Rooster Teeth’s ‘Gen:Lock’ Emerge
Fast Companyhas the inside track on Rooster Teeth’s newest animated sensation-in-the-making,Gen:Lock. After fielding pitches from within the company’s own framework, they ended up going with this idea fromGray Haddock, the head of Rooster Teeth Animation. Set on a dystopian future Earth, mech battles are used to settle conflicts. That’s about all we knew following a brief teaser video that waspreviously released, but now that Haddock is sharing some details, we have a much better idea of how this series will shape up:
People with one set of views are done being patient with people with other views, and there’s a particular portion of the global culture that has recognized that even though they’re spread out among former nation-states, they have certain things in common, and organize to do a territory grab, so they can form new areas around the world that are very much a mono-culture representing just their views. Then you have everyone else who doesn’t agree with that perspective.
Gen:Lock is “a technological breakthrough on the side of the war that we’re following that is very new and raw,” and that “it has to be pressed into service very early, compared to what you’d want to do with this technology, because if they don’t put it into service soon, then it’s not going to matter,” and that’s presumably tied into the “mech” armor that the characters will wear.
“He can apply his former combat experience and signature fighting style in unique ways to what it’s like to drive a mech. He’s gone through some tragedy we’ll talk about the first episode of the show, and he’s having to adjust to life after that. He’s charming, funny, and the first guy to break the ice and make sure people around him are doing okay. But over the course of the first year, we’ll learn exactly what he went through that he’s struggling against.”
“We’ve got a half-dozen people that will form our first Gen:Lock team, and Chase is one of the primaries that we’re going to be following most closely over the course of the first year.”
Be sure to head to Fast Company for the full interview with Haddock, including more details and images onGen:Lock.
